A search for Lyman break galaxies at z > 8 in the NICMOS Parallel Imaging Survey

We have selected 14 J-dropout Lyman break galaxy (LBG) candidates with J_(110) - H_(160) ≥ 2.5 from the NICMOS Parallel Imaging Survey. This survey consists of 135 arcmin^2 of imaging in 228 independent sight lines, reaching average 5 σ sensitivities of J_(110) = 25.8 and H_(160) = 25.6 (AB). Distinguishing these candidates from dust-reddened star-forming galaxies at z ~ 2-3 is difficult and will require longer wavelength observations. We consider the likelihood that any J-dropout LBGs exist in this survey and find that if L^*_(z=9.5) is significantly brighter than L^*_(z=6) (a factor of 4), then a few J-dropout LBGs are likely. A similar increase in luminosity has been suggested by Eyles et al. and Yan et al., but the magnitude of this increase is uncertain.